Life beyond LEO

Humanity’s time spent in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has illustrated how lack of gravity affects the human body.? In fact, we can go broader, and basically rope in every organic cell or structure that is very use to 9.8m2 gravity.

The issues uncovered in the last 60 years are numerous, from bones to babies, molecules to moods.? We have gathered a lot of data but we are not closer to a solution.? Positioned in LEO, still shielded by the Earth’s magnetic field, the ISS has been a great observational platform, but it is time to concern ourselves with life beyond LEO.

Well known challenges to the human body include ionising radiation and Galactic Cosmetic Radiation (GCR), and unlike Star Trek we are yet to develop a holographic doctor swinging a tricorder with non-needle inoculations, for all manner of silicon based viruses and radiation.

Life in LEO

In LEO we know that bony reabsorbing occurs, the are cardiac changes, skin dysbiosis, and physiological changes lead to organ dysfunction, with the development of renal stones, eyesight changes, skin afflictions, and body fluid distribution.

One of the most striking changes is the human microbiome, the bacteria and arrangement of life forms in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).? The microbiome which lives with humans possibly started its development well over 100,000 years ago.? Humans gathered wild stock of grains which humans began to cultivate in the Neolithic Age.? Leading to the development of wheat, corn, barley and rice crops, aided with selective breeding and irrigation, encampments became settlements and settlements became cities.?

The interesting thing about these the choice of these grains is the phenol that they supply to the human diet. Increased phenols are associated with increased oral and gastrointestinal microbiome, and systemic health.

The flora of the gastrointestinal tract consists of a great variety, and a great many life forms, and an individual’s floral compliment is a combination of factors including exposure, genetics, diet, maternal contribution, and toxic insult (i.e. antibiotics, heavy metals etc.).?

Different sections of the gut are attractive habitats for different microbiome; who knew, different bacterial species have preferences.? It is becoming evident, apart from helping with nutrition and micronutrients, the GIT microbiome may have a direct immune function and modulating role and functional human nutrition relies on the microbiome.

Moon, Gateway and Mars

Beyond LEO, space health may well the biggest issue for humans.? Our limited, through growing knowledge of the microbiome, will be exposed in astronauts ill health and shortened lifespans.? There is no data beyond LEO, and the Prometheus Bed is not yet at our disposal. Futuristic regenerative habitats and life support systems may need to be imagined.